Quarterbacks battles, a staple of spring football each year, took intriguing turns this weekend at two Midwestern powerhouses.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck, who took the position in February, told the Omaha World-Herald that sophomore Taylor Martinez would need to re-win the starting QB job. Martinez started 12 games for the Huskers as a redshirt freshman, and his speed and success as a runner earned him some early season Heisman Trophy buzz.

Taylor Martinez has some competition at QB for Nebraska this year. (AP Photo)

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Meanwhile, at Missouri, redshirt freshman Tyler Gabbert shined in a Saturday morning scrimmage and might pose a serious challenge to James Franklin for the quarterback spot.

Gabbert, younger brother of outgoing Tigers starter Blaine Gabbert, completed 20-of-27 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown in the scrimmage. Franklin, listed first on the depth chart, went 18-for-34 for 122 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The stats were published in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

“My big thing is managing the game and protecting the ball,” Tyler Gabbert told the newspaper. “If you don’t have the ball, you’re not going to score points.”